Hey everybody, I was just looking at some of the model numbers on my Dirt Devils a couple of weeks ago and have been looking for a pattern and researching ever since. I've actually gotten somewhere. The first thing I found is that the earlier Dirt Devils generally made before 1993 have a model number like "7200" or if it has a better motor, tools, free bonus, or different color, the vacuums model number could look like "7211" like my Dirt Devil Upright Deluxe. 

The later style model numbers used from 1994 until the 2010's (?) first started as 08- and then three more numbers specifying color or quality and price would come after that. The model number on my Dirt Devil Ultra MVP Pro Series is 089470. Decoding this would show that it starts with the typical 08, then has the 9 which would be the highest number of the time also meaning top of the line. The 470 was the code for the pro series variant. Another example is a model number for my Dirt Devil Power Stick which is 083700. 083 was Dirt Devils stick vacuum prefix. The 700 meant it was the TOL stick vacuum they produced at that time. The basic version with later model number was the Stick Vac Plus with a model number of 083200 where the 200 means bottom of the line, basic colors, and first stick vacuum design. I found that 200 after the first prefix meant bottom of the line, or older design for a Dirt Devil. Throughout the years they would have newer top of the line cleaner that took the model numbers into a new prefix. This was the Dirt Devil Platinum Force upright with a model number prefix of 091 (notice the odd numbers always after the "09, or 08").

The earlier model number system had a first number signifying the class of the vacuum cleaner, then a 2, then two numbers that specified tools, color, or store specific like a white Dirt Devil Deluxe for Walmart only. An example is 3200 for a Dirt Devil Stick Vac Plus with classic Dirt Devil red and 3 amp direct air motor. This would be the average, but technical bottom of the line of the stick vac. There was no 4200, so it skips to 5200 which is the Dirt Devil soft bag upright which was later called the "Lite". I'm pretty sure that the model number for a 5200 with a red bag and black hood would be 5211 with the '11' signifying the color change, but nothing else different. The 6200 was the Dirt Devil Upright Plus, or the Plus. The 7200 was the Upright, or Deluxe series. the 8200 was also the Deluxe series but I can't find any differences between the two yet. Maybe it's the bag housing with the angled dirt intake, or the flat dirt intake was the 7200. When this style model number was being used, the 8200 was the top of the line and highest it got before the 08- prefix was used for no real reason other than more models introduced.

That's what I know for now. My collection goal generally is to know as much about Dirt Devil and involving a bit of royal too as I can without spending thousands at once for special colors of a hand vac or something. My next goal is to start looking into vacuum shops and buying old service manuals and parts books and sales things that only dealers could buy. If you guys have anything to add, or prove me wrong, please reply. I want to be correct with the information I spread, not just act like I know a lot and really don't.

Best regards, Garrett

P.S, I can include some pictures of models I've mentioned if that would help with anything.

Thank you both for the kind words! I think it's just fun to find out about that stuff. But I do understand the point of other collectors and how they perceive the company. Some day I'll start getting into Royals. I really love the power tank design and power right now!

Thank you, Garrett